Deputy Editor for Investigations

By |February 6, 2018

The Trace seeks a visionary, proven, hands-on editor to lead our talented and dogged team of reporters in producing hard-hitting investigations related to our nonprofit news site’s unique focus: guns and gun violence in America.

At the heart of the job are a trio of big opportunities. This is a chance to direct sustained-impact reporting on an issue of grave consequence, and to advance innovations in investigative methods: Recent and forthcoming Trace projects have involved collaborations with more than a dozen local newsrooms; crowdsourced fact-gathering in hard-to-reach communities; and pioneering law enforcement records collection and data analyses, to name a few. The deputy editor for investigations will also be empowered to tackle a central question for single-subject newsrooms: How to use their resources and accumulated issue expertise to deliver the maximum public service.

Responsibilities

Direct the production of at least four investigative projects or in-depth features with clear impact potential per year, owning each step of the process: sharpening writers’ story ideas, resolving reporting challenges, polishing drafts, etc.

Empower fellow editors to manage some projects and articles, while personally overseeing and editing others

Motivate investigative team members to identify and execute follow-up pieces and relevant spot news stories that continue to drive impact for published reporting

Experiment with mediums, story forms, and story lengths to maximize resonance and reach

Partner with editorial director to refine newsroom-wide strategy for day-to-day coverage and search-optimized explanatory posts between investigative and enterprise articles

Collaborate with senior editors to identify and secure reporting and publishing partners at outside newsrooms

Enlist members of The Trace’s engagement team to assist with story idea generation and crowdsourced reporting, then collaborate with them on the rollout and social media strategy for investigative projects and features

Maintain master editorial calendar

Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and training of investigative fellows

Optional: Report and write stories

Embody and enforce ethical standards for The Trace’s reporting

Qualifications

The ideal candidate is someone who:

Brings a portfolio of investigative projects and stories that have generated direct impact

Sees opportunities, as much as story ideas

Has the experience to help reporters solve reporting challenges, with particular expertise in successful FOIA requests and source development

Is fluent in data journalism and computer-assisted reporting (or better, has personally achieved mastery of same)

Understands that being a highly productive investigative editor also means being a meticulous project manager

Can coach writers to improve drafts — or take on the role of rewrite desk, when required